Can-top-cutting machine.



J. F. LOSTUMO & A. H. OLANDER.

CAN TOP CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 24, 1915.

'1 1 76,9 1 4;, Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

J. F. LOSTUMO & A. H.'0LANDER.

CAN TOP CUTTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 24, 1915- 1 1 76,9 1 41. Patented. Mar. 28, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Wm sefi Tm: COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH cm, WASHINGTON, D. c.

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I JAMES F. LOSTUMO AND AUGUST I-I. OLANDER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CAN-'TOPPCUT'IING MACHINE.

Specification f Letters Patent. P te t a 2 1915 Application filed November 24, 1.915. Serial No. 63,144.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we JAMES FRANK Losrplvro and AUGUST H. OLANDER, citizens of the United States of America, and residents of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Top-Cutting Machines of which the following is a specification.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form of power driven can top cutter; to provide a can top cutter which can be readily adjusted to accommodate cans of various sizes; and to provide in such device improved means for adjustably holding the cutter knife.

A specific embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which V Figure 1 is a side elevation of a complete can opening machine. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the head which carries the cutter knife. Fig. 3 isa bottom plan of the same. Fig. 4 is another vertical section of the same showing one of the removable rings in place. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective of the cutter knife. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan of the table which supports the can.

In general terms the improved can opener comprises a support for the cans having guides for the can, a rotary cutter having relative movement to bring the cutter into and out of engagement with the can top, and mechanism for rotating the cutter.

In the construction shown in the drawings the main frame 1 has a suitable base 2 and supports an auxiliary frame 3. A vertically disposed shaft 4 is journaled in the frame 3 by bearings 5 and 6 and is mounted so that it can be shifted vertically in said bearings. Rotation may be imparted to the shaft 4 by means of suitable driving mechanism (not shown) belted to a pulley wheel 7 keyed to the upper end thereof.

The lower end of the shaft 4 carries a head 13 which is provided with a depending annular flange 1 1. A radially disposed slot 15 is formed in the under face of the head for receiving and supporting a cutter knife 16 and a series of spacing blocks 17 of various widths. The cutter knife and spacing blocks are held rigidly in position in said slot by means of a clamping bolt 18 which passes through apertures 19 therein, the end of the bolt 18 having threaded engagement at 20 with the head 13.

Small cans of various sizes may be used in this machine, and the centering thereof with respect to the head 13 is facilitated by means of removable rings of different widths. one of which is shown at 21 in Fig. 4, and by means'of adjustable guide pins 39 on the support 37. Such rings are provided with beveled faces 22 and are shaped to fit within the recess formed by the depending flange 14 and are held therein by set screws 23.

Means for shifting the shaft l vertically in its bearings are provided and comprise a lever 24!: pivotally mounted on the auxiliary frame 3 at 25, a foot treadle 29 pivoted in the frame 1 near the base thereof, and a link 28 which connects the foot treadle with one end of the lever 2-1. The other end of lever 24 is bifurcated, forming arms which are provided with slots 26 for embracing pins 27 on a collar 8 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft A.

The shaft at may rotate freely within the collar-,8 but is prevented from shifting relatively thereof by means of collars 9 and 10 disposed on either side of collar 8 and secured to the shaft by setscrews 11 and 12 respectively.

Means for normally holding the head 13 and shaft 4 in a raised position are provided, and comprise a spring 30 having one end connected at 31 to the lever 24; and having the other end secured to a lug 32 on the frame 1.

Movement of the lever 24: is limited by an adjustable yoke 33 which embraces the lever and which is provided with a threaded stem 34 for coacting with a lug 35 on the frame 1 to adjust the throw of the head.

A work table or can support 37 is mounted on the outer end of an arm 36 on the frame 1, said support being readily adjustable by means of a wheel 38. Cans of various sizes may be properly positioned by lugs 39 and suitable sockets 10 therefor on the upper surface of the supports 37, these lugs and sockets being arranged in pairs suitably located with respect to the axis of rotation of the cutter.

In the operation of the device the pulley 7 may be belted to suitable driving mechanism (not shown) and the work table 37 adjusted by means of the wheel 38 to bring the table into such position that when cans are placed thereon they will be spaced slightly apart from the head 13. The foot treadle 29 is then depressed, thereby raising the link 28 and in turn shifting the slidably mounted shaft 4 downwardly in its bearings, bringlng the cutter knife 16 into engagement with the top of the can. The shaft being rotated during this operation causes the knife to travel around the top of the can slightly inward from the edge thereof and to sever the top from it. The foot treadle is then released and the shaft 4, and head 13 are raised to their normal position by the spring 30. A limited range of action of the lever 24 and consequent adjustment of the throw of the head 13 is secured by means of the yoke 33.

Cans of various sizes may be used in this machine and adjustment therefor is made by radiallv shifting the cutter knife 16 to proper position in the slot'15, securing a suitably sized centeringv ring 21 in the head, and shifting the lugs 39 to proper sockets for the respective size of can.

'Although but one specific embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

We claim 1. A device of the class described, comprising a frame, a shaft slidably journaled.

in said frame, a headmounted on the end of said shaft so as to rotate therewith, a cutter knife adjustable radially on said head, a work support mounted on said frame and Copies of this patent may be obtained for disposed in spaced'relation vunder said head, a foot treadle mounted on said frame, and connections between said treadle and shaft for shifting said shaft relatively of said work support.

2. In a device of the class described, a headjournaled on a vertical axis and PIO? vided with a depending peripherally disposed flange, a depending cutter knife adjustable radially on said head, and a plu-' rality of removable spacing blocks for holding said knife.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a head having a peripherally disposed depending flange, a cutter inward of said flange, a removable ring shaped to fit within said flange, and means on said head. for holding said ring within said flange.

4. A device of the class described, comprising a frame, a vertical shaft slidably journaled in said frame, a head mounted on the lower end of said shaft to rotate therewith, a cutter knife adjustable radially on said head, a work support mounted on said frame and disposed in spaced relation under said head, a lever mounted in said frame for shifting said shaft, a foot treadle, a link connection between said treadle and lever for shifting said shaft in one direction when said treadle is depressed, and yielding means for returning said shaft to 1ts normal position after being shifted.

- Signed at Chicago this 16th day of November, 1915. 7

JAMES LOSTUMO. AUGUST 11., OLANDER.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. a 

